Committee begins search for graduation speakers

Jack McCarthy, along with Natsuki Atagi, delivered a commencement speech at graduation last May. McCarthy encouraged fellow graduates to embrace the opportunities post-graduation, continue to learn after formal schooling ended and never stop supporting the alma mater.

McCarthy said he applied to be a commencement speaker after both students and faculty encouraged him.

Students who are graduating in May can be nominated or self-nominate to be a commencement speaker at the May 7 ceremony. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and can submit the application form online on the provost’s website. The deadline is March 4.

“I was also excited about the opportunity to represent my class and help the group collectively think back on the wonderful times we’d had at IU,” McCarthy said. “I learned so much and had so many unique experiences as I applied and prepared for the big day. I was able to reflect on my own four years and talk with friends and peers about great memories they had.”

This will be the second year IU selects two commencement speakers for the ceremonies, said Greg Buse, project specialist in the Office of the Provost.

“The committee is looking for students with an unique story to tell and for students who are sort of a representation of the graduating class,” he said. “We are very purposeful about having student members on the selection committee. Their input was absolutely invaluable. We really got a sense in what they would want to hear so that was really important and helpful in the selection process last year.”

Buse said they hope to notify the speakers by the beginning of April to give them four to five weeks to prepare before the ceremony.

“The ceremony is all about the students,” he said. “It is really a celebration of all of their work for four or five years. Students who are chosen write the speech so it is really their message. It is a very individual thing. They usually talk about their experience at IU and what it meant to them.”

McCarthy said students shouldn’t be intimidated by the thought of speaking in front of a large group.

“Be excited about the unique opportunity to apply for the position afforded to students at IU — not every university has a student speaker,” he said. “I’d encourage each and every senior to apply. I know from my experiences last year that all of my peers had great thoughts on what they got out of their time in Bloomington.”